YOUR AM WRITES: Newport East AM John Griffiths

OVER the last few months, many of us in Wales have noticed the increasing UK Coalition Government attacks on the NHS in Wales. These political attacks detract from the hard work of doctors and nurses across Wales whose efforts we all rely on, and cynically attempt to create harmful anxiety and division.

The truth is that the NHS faces challenges across the UK - including here in Wales - and where there are valid suggestions of improvements to be made, we should of course look at them.

However, we should be bold and clear in defending our record on the NHS in Wales. The Welsh Government has invested in frontline NHS staff, increasing the number of hospital consultants and community nurses over the same period that numbers of community nurses have fallen in England.

Furthermore, we have taken a lead on mental health, scrapped a tax on ill health through prescription fees - a move later adopted in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and ensured that more cancer patients receive their treatment within their target time, with evidence suggesting that this approach is working – the levels of cancer deaths in Wales have fallen by 11 per cent since 2002.

In contrast, there has been a worrying trend towards back-door privatisation over the border, as seen in the recent announcement of a £1.2 billion outsourcing of cancer care in the English NHS to private companies.

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July 2014 marks the 66th anniversary of the creation of the NHS under the post-war UK government, and the current UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt would do well to remember Aneurin Bevan’s words that “illness is neither an indulgence for which people have to pay, nor an offence for which they should be penalised, but a misfortune, the cost of which should be shared by the community.”

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As the summer progresses, so does the redevelopment in Newport city centre. It’s great to see the progress on the Friars Walk development as the structure goes up, the Admiral staff moving into their new offices, and Newport market reinvigorated. Newport Council has really worked to make things happen and it’s heartening to see.

The Welsh Government has put funding in as well, and aims to help bring buildings back into use, both for residential and commercial use. Businesses, government, and the public all want Newport city centre to thrive, and the progress so far is encouraging.

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Comments (11)

As always everything is rosey in the WAG garden. There are no problems and anyone who suggests otherwise is castigated. For once I would like to see some honesty from a politician (of any party).

As always everything is rosey in the WAG garden. There are no problems and anyone who suggests otherwise is castigated. For once I would like to see some honesty from a politician (of any party).paddyparry

As always everything is rosey in the WAG garden. There are no problems and anyone who suggests otherwise is castigated. For once I would like to see some honesty from a politician (of any party).

Score: 13

gingertom says...5:14pm Thu 17 Jul 14

John griffiths in't fooling anyone with the typical WAG eyewash of the NHS we need a welsh enquiry into it: https://www.assembly wales.org/epetition- list-of-signatories. htm?pet_id=1019

John griffiths in't fooling anyone with the typical WAG eyewash of the NHS we need a welsh enquiry into it:
https://www.assembly
wales.org/epetition-
list-of-signatories.
htm?pet_id=1019gingertom

John griffiths in't fooling anyone with the typical WAG eyewash of the NHS we need a welsh enquiry into it: https://www.assembly wales.org/epetition- list-of-signatories. htm?pet_id=1019

Score: 12

Magor says...6:12pm Thu 17 Jul 14

WAG cant run the NHS, hand it back to Westminster.

WAG cant run the NHS, hand it back to Westminster.Magor

WAG cant run the NHS, hand it back to Westminster.

Score: 8

scraptheWAG says...6:33pm Thu 17 Jul 14

go on John toe the line and Carwyn will tickle your tummy

go on John toe the line and Carwyn will tickle your tummyscraptheWAG

go on John toe the line and Carwyn will tickle your tummy

Score: 6

scraptheWAG says...6:35pm Thu 17 Jul 14

john it was since the WAG that newport has fallen to the depths it has starved of money as you are too feeble and weak to stand up to the fat slob jones

john it was since the WAG that newport has fallen to the depths it has starved of money as you are too feeble and weak to stand up to the fat slob jonesscraptheWAG

john it was since the WAG that newport has fallen to the depths it has starved of money as you are too feeble and weak to stand up to the fat slob jones

Score: 8

Foxyboy3rd says...8:09pm Thu 17 Jul 14

At our surgery we sometimes have to wait around a month for an appointment and what about the "Environment" around Maindee Square John , absolutely heartbreaking.

At our surgery we sometimes have to wait around a month for an appointment and what about the "Environment" around Maindee Square John , absolutely heartbreaking.Foxyboy3rd

At our surgery we sometimes have to wait around a month for an appointment and what about the "Environment" around Maindee Square John , absolutely heartbreaking.

Score: 5

thatcherslovechild says...8:10pm Thu 17 Jul 14

As someone working in the Welsh NHS I can tell you WAG is destroying it all the while saying how well it is doing. Between them and the management the service is nose diving and all they do is cut funding and demand more from the staff.

As someone working in the Welsh NHS I can tell you WAG is destroying it all the while saying how well it is doing. Between them and the management the service is nose diving and all they do is cut funding and demand more from the staff.thatcherslovechild

As someone working in the Welsh NHS I can tell you WAG is destroying it all the while saying how well it is doing. Between them and the management the service is nose diving and all they do is cut funding and demand more from the staff.

Score: 6

landyman3030 says...10:55pm Thu 17 Jul 14

John Griffiths has announced to Radio Wales this evening that he has started a second career as punch line writer for The Comedy Club situated in the Bay. This elite club is open to members who qualify through a particularly difficult selection. If you can stand in front of an audience and explain what a good job the WAG are doing for 30 seconds without turning red in the face and bursting out in laughter, then you're in. Currently appearing weekly at this prestigious venue are such laugh a minute shows as Carwyns Half Hour, Carwyns Crazy Gang, a Welsh language version of Allo Allo called Hiya Butt, guest starring Meris Huws as the Gestapo (sorry Assembly) secretary and new for 2014, a comedy filmed in just two locations. In the back of an ambulance in a queue outside A & E and in a corridor on a trolley in A & E. A working title of Til Death Us Do Part has been touted but early audience figures are showing disapproval at this title. Seems that it's a little to close to real life to be even remotely funny.

John Griffiths has announced to Radio Wales this evening that he has started a second career as punch line writer for The Comedy Club situated in the Bay. This elite club is open to members who qualify through a particularly difficult selection. If you can stand in front of an audience and explain what a good job the WAG are doing for 30 seconds without turning red in the face and bursting out in laughter, then you're in.
Currently appearing weekly at this prestigious venue are such laugh a minute shows as Carwyns Half Hour, Carwyns Crazy Gang, a Welsh language version of Allo Allo called Hiya Butt, guest starring Meris Huws as the Gestapo (sorry Assembly) secretary and new for 2014, a comedy filmed in just two locations. In the back of an ambulance in a queue outside A & E and in a corridor on a trolley in A & E. A working title of Til Death Us Do Part has been touted but early audience figures are showing disapproval at this title. Seems that it's a little to close to real life to be even remotely funny.landyman3030

John Griffiths has announced to Radio Wales this evening that he has started a second career as punch line writer for The Comedy Club situated in the Bay. This elite club is open to members who qualify through a particularly difficult selection. If you can stand in front of an audience and explain what a good job the WAG are doing for 30 seconds without turning red in the face and bursting out in laughter, then you're in. Currently appearing weekly at this prestigious venue are such laugh a minute shows as Carwyns Half Hour, Carwyns Crazy Gang, a Welsh language version of Allo Allo called Hiya Butt, guest starring Meris Huws as the Gestapo (sorry Assembly) secretary and new for 2014, a comedy filmed in just two locations. In the back of an ambulance in a queue outside A & E and in a corridor on a trolley in A & E. A working title of Til Death Us Do Part has been touted but early audience figures are showing disapproval at this title. Seems that it's a little to close to real life to be even remotely funny.

Score: 4

Severn40 says...6:24am Fri 18 Jul 14

John Griffiths needs to listen more carefully. The attacks are on his Government's running of the NHS, not the Welsh NHS. For far too long, Labour has been peddling myths about the state of the Welsh NHS, all press release led with load of spin with the aim of deceiving a largely Labour voting and compliant Welsh electorate. it has taken people like Ann Clwyd to speak out and say things are wrong.

John Griffiths needs to listen more carefully. The attacks are on his Government's running of the NHS, not the Welsh NHS. For far too long, Labour has been peddling myths about the state of the Welsh NHS, all press release led with load of spin with the aim of deceiving a largely Labour voting and compliant Welsh electorate. it has taken people like Ann Clwyd to speak out and say things are wrong.Severn40

John Griffiths needs to listen more carefully. The attacks are on his Government's running of the NHS, not the Welsh NHS. For far too long, Labour has been peddling myths about the state of the Welsh NHS, all press release led with load of spin with the aim of deceiving a largely Labour voting and compliant Welsh electorate. it has taken people like Ann Clwyd to speak out and say things are wrong.

Score: 4

PaulHalliday says...10:10am Fri 18 Jul 14

Like his whole Career all John can say is what he is told to say by his Labour bosses. One of these days maybe he will actually stand up for Newport against the decisions that his party make in the Assembly.

Like his whole Career all John can say is what he is told to say by his Labour bosses. One of these days maybe he will actually stand up for Newport against the decisions that his party make in the Assembly.PaulHalliday

Like his whole Career all John can say is what he is told to say by his Labour bosses. One of these days maybe he will actually stand up for Newport against the decisions that his party make in the Assembly.

Score: 0

gingertom says...1:44pm Fri 18 Jul 14

AM's are not worth the money: Crossbenchtory says... (16th July south wales argus jocelyn davies article) gingertom wrote: How much pension does AM's get? How long have you got to serve before you get a pension? Up to £123,600.00 per year with an annual increase linked the the Consumer Price Index. As near as I can figure this pension is available after 12 months as an AM.

AM's are not worth the money:
Crossbenchtory says... (16th July south wales argus jocelyn davies article)
gingertom wrote:
How much pension does AM's get? How long have you got to serve before you get a pension?
Up to £123,600.00 per year with an annual increase linked the the Consumer Price Index.
As near as I can figure this pension is available after 12 months as an AM.gingertom

AM's are not worth the money: Crossbenchtory says... (16th July south wales argus jocelyn davies article) gingertom wrote: How much pension does AM's get? How long have you got to serve before you get a pension? Up to £123,600.00 per year with an annual increase linked the the Consumer Price Index. As near as I can figure this pension is available after 12 months as an AM.

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